Guaging Intrest on New Product

[Thomas A]

**********
The finished Product is now avialble. Here is the link:

Bracket Group Purchase (http://sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=40872)

Thomas
**********

Hello. I am in the process of devolping a battery tie down for the '89-'97 Thunderbirds and Cougars, as well as a few other applications. This is an intial post to see if there is any intrest in the product. I don't have pricing together yet. I've got a couple prototypes made and am having the final details worked out. These hold downs are made of aluminum, and will be offered in your choice of natural, powder coat, or chromed finishes. All neccasary hardware and step by step directions will also be included. These hold downs will pass NHRA inspection when you go to the track. That is what prompted this project in the first place. The final product will look very close to the one pictured below, with a few variations being made. Please post here if you have any questions or comments, or if you think you might be interested in something like this. Please check back as I will be updating the info and pictures once the final product is ready to go. Thanks for your time!

http://members.tccoa.com/93supercoupe/SC002_one.jpg

http://members.tccoa.com/93supercoupe/SC002_two.jpg

Just for a little background info on myself, for those of you who may not know me. I live in Nebraska, and have owned a 1993 SC for 3 years now. I have been part of SCCoA for just about as long, as well as TCCoA, the former TBSCEC, and various other car related groups. I organized the March UD Pulley GP as well as the Texas Thunderbirds poly diff mount GP. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. Thanks.

Thomas

[CaifanSC]

Nice piece...how muchwould that run?

[Thomas A]

I hope to have pricing by the first of next week.

Thomas

[Billabong089]

that looks cool, Im gonna make one in my metal shop @ my school, looks like a piece of sheet metal on top, some wing nuts... what do you have on the bottom or is that a secret?

So far, I'm in the proccess of making my own cold air divider... haha $120 for magnum powers or however much they charge, yea let me go bend some sheet metal and currently I'm making a custom guage mount on that lower cubby thing, cut two slots out of each side and slid a piece of sheet metal through, I'm gonna paint it black and put three 2-1/16th guages in there, so the metal wont really show but you cant tell its metal and it uses the original cubby thing. I just gotta get the angleing rings...

And my last thing is that engine dress up thing, which again is a piece of sheet metal bent and crap... lol I love saving money...


sorry Thomas, didnt mean to like hijack your thread or whatever, looks cool if its cheap, maybe ill buy one cuz making things take a while lol... but defaintly looks good man.

[turbospeed]

id buy one if they fit the optimas

[SuperCoupeSC91]

hey i got one that fits the Optima, I searched alot form one for the Optima batterys online and came up with this one as my favorite. High Polished Aluminum, bottom screw holes are not seen either (mounted from underneith car 6 screws), look below, its a little dirty in the pic from mounting it, but you see how it looks. I love it, its from DetroitSpeed.com 160.00 + Shipping though..

Alex LaChance

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[SuperCoupeSC91]

I also wonder how you made the bottom hold down? It looks pretty good, but i think if you polish the top piece it would look really really sweet, hey its just a suggestion and if you wanted to, Platinum Plated battery terminals (Stinger) to get more of that chrome/polished look..Good Luck with your project.... Alex LaChance.

[Thomas A]

The piece in the picture is chromed, so I don't know what your talking about. Also, you might consider editiing your signature so that it doesn't take up half of my monitor. Just a suggestion.

Thomas

[J57ltr]

Like what you have done Thomas. Don't know if you have thought of this yet but some batteries have the removable vents on top that could cause problems with mounting. You might also want to look into hard anodizing (not regular anodizing) for corrosion resistance.

Jeff

[Thomas A]

Thanks for the suggestion Jeff. Yeah, I have thought about that. The center section is pretty narrow, but I will be looking at a few different types of batteries.

Thomas

[J57ltr]

I'll get you the measurment of the Duralast I have. I saw your post earlier and went to lunch and had to jump my car. While I was waiting I thought about the bracket not looking like it would fit.LOL

Jeff

[SuperCoupeSC91]

"Thomas A"
Excuse me, your camera must be broken then. what kinda camera do you use then if that whole piece is chromed ? u use the chrome spray paint ? the only thing that looks like it might be chrome is the sides not the top flat part. that has no glare, it looks like a flat silver paint (why do you think i suggested a polished or chromed look). you have any other pics that have some glare in it ? Honeslty it does not look chrome !! is this only me here people or does this look chrome to others? Alex L.

[Thomas A]

Nope, camera is just fine. Canon 3.3 megapixel. And yes, it is chromed, no silver spray paint here. Guess I should of used yellow, huh? You gotta any left over that I could borrow?

Thomas

[SuperCoupeSC91]

haha.. dont try to be like me.. know whats funny, in your top ic you have a top IC tube that is chromed ! what the hell happened to the battery bracket ! there is no comparison between the 2 ! look at my battery holder thats a polished look... yours does not look polished.. "when i say polished i mean to a mirror finish, maybe thats what got you confused. maybe i wasnt to detailed of what i was saying then" you should of been able to tell what i ment though..

Alex L.

[SuperCoupeSC91]

"in your top Pic"

[Thomas A]

I understand what your saying. Yes, it does look different. It's a different chroming process on that piece. All the items done below where done in the same process as the bracket that I made. It's a little easier to tell the look of it, as the bracket is a little dirty right now. BTW, where did you get that wing? I've been looking for one for my Mark VIII, and think it might look kinda cool on it?

http://members.tccoa.com/93supercoupe/Chrome_Acces.jpg

Thomas

[XsithX]

Hah...awesome.


Anyways, I'd probably be interested.

[Nettlesd]

Thomas,

I think this would be cool. How about taking what you have and water cutting the Ford script into it. The fancy Ford script that Ford uses in the blue oval. I'm sure Todd of TJ D-Signs could come up with the font and make a template. There is a company here in KC that does the water cutting. I could check into it if you want. Maybe they could etch it to keep costs down instead of just cutting it out. As with anything, the more you do the cheaper it would be.

Anyway, I like your design. Heck, round the edges and it would look like a dog bone. :p P-Diddy might even think it looks like something else. :D

Will you still talk to us after you become a millionaire when these sell like hotcakes? :)

[GreenBirdLX]

Originally posted by Nettlesd
How about taking what you have and water cutting the Ford script into it.

Can you say trademark infringement? How about lawsuit?

[Nettlesd]

Ok, I guess I never thought about that. Maybe "Supercoupe" or "SC" would look ok.

Um, maybe it's not if you don't use the oval or something like that. I wonder how we could really find out. Oh well, it was only a thought. Doh!

[Thomas A]

Duane, when I become a millionare you will be the only one I will talk to. Hey, you about ready for that new Nav yet? :D

I actually had thought about offering custom engraving such as SUPERCOUPE, 3.8L SC, 4.6L DOHC, etc, but decided against that at this point to help keep things simplier.

At this point, I am just waiting to get the final protype back from the shop as well as a price. The main problem I see is that it won't work with half the batteries out there.

Thomas

[92TBurnSC]

WAL-MART EVERSTART HERE!

Yellow piece of junk.

Anyhoo, you may have to make a few different versions, or perhaps not make it a solid piece of metal but somehting that splits in the middle, at least for some batteries.

I also say some sort of etching/engraving would be cool, especially if you were able to offer them in matching body color. Though for a rookie with a small budget that may be more trouble than it's worth.

Food for thought. Otherwise, nice piece.

[Nettlesd]

Thomas,

Not yet. I need to quit buying stuff for the SC. Buying a car will put a major damper on the parts that I buy for the SC.

[Tazer999]

Make one that fits this battery and u got a buyer. You get a decent tip if u engrave SCCoWC into it, :D

[Thomas A]

Man, you need to get that Chevy battery out of your car anyway :D

Actually, if you could do me a favor, and measure the space between the two bumps on top, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking at making a version for both types of batteries, and am trying to compile some average sizes.

Thomas

[Thomas]

Looks great Thomas. I'm deffinetely interested.
-Thomas #2

[Tazer999]

here ya go

[NorthrnSCownr]

laughed in disgust when he saw my SC's "battery clamp".
He said "thats the most effeminate thing I've ever seen!" LOL
What a great chuckle that gave me.
Way to go.
Tom

[Thomas A]

Thanks! Looks like I'll be offering them in two different versions. The guy who does all my powdercoating left and the company that he worked for doesn't do it anymore. So, I'm looking for another source right now.

Thomas

[Thomas A]

UPDATE 1-15-04

I'm getting closer to having these ready to ship. I had to make a design change inorder to make this work with more batteries. I will be taking .5" off of the width inorder for it to fit AC Delco, Motorcraft, Interstate, AutoCraft(Advance Auto), EverStart(Wal-Mart), Weathe Handler DieHard(Sears), ProStart(Pepboys), Duralast(AutoZone), Eveready, Power Connection, Kirkland, in addition to Champion, Exide, Energizer, Equilizer, and Gold Diehard. Basicly any battery with at least 1.1" of space between any raised section of the battery.

I'm not sure if they will be compatable with Optima Batteries. If someone could do me a big favor and measure the space between the raised part on a Red and Yellow Top I'd sure appreciate. I just need the measurement like Tazer did, but of the raised part coming from the terminals.

I also haven't secured a powdercoater or chromer yet. I might have to just offer them in the natural finish and then you will be able to do what ever you want to with them. ie: polish, chrome, powder coat, anodize, etc. I'll just have to see how that goes.

I hope to have the final prototype cut sometime next week, along with final pricing. I'll let you know as soon as I get that done.

Thomas

[BT Motorsports]

Thomas, I would highly recommend anodizing and can refer you to a few places if you want.

Paul

[Thomas A]

Yeah, I think anodizing would work very well with these pieces. If you could send me a quick e-mail of some places I'd sure appreciate it!

Thomas -- thomasma@alltel.net

[BT Motorsports]

Just sent you an email with a healthy list of places, let me know when you receive it as I have been having a little trouble with my outbound mail lately.

Paul

[Thomas A]

I never got your e-mail. Could you try again? THANKS!!!

Thomas - thomasma@alltel.net

[Thomas A]

The finished Product is now avialble. Here is the link:

Bracket Group Purchase (http://sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=40872)

Thomas